The police officer attached to the school is a member of the police force, but works under the direction of the school principal. The first step any school must take in considering the use of a police officer is to make sure all parties involved want one. Staff and students have to know what having a police officer means, and community representatives have to request the officer. Duties of a school-based police officer are to provide a visible presence, reduce risks to students, attend school council meetings, organize approved after-school activities, lecture on selected topics, advise on security, supervise school crossings, monitor the activities of undesirable in the school area, and counsel students as required. The police officer can also liaison with shopkeepers and other local individuals and thus develop local interest in students, especially wayward youth. In addition, the police officer can interface with truancy and home liaison officers to better control offending children.